State Fair of Texas

Beware of your credit card number being stolen by booth ticket agents. I worked with these thrives for 5 years and am glad to be away from there. Also, don’t trust booth supervisors, as one named jessie, we’ll, she shorts everyone’s till, causing suspicion of the employees! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

It is crazy expensive to go to the fair now lol but still worth it! DO NOT leave without a funnel cake and turkey leg!

This is a very popular event, so expect a TON of people. Despite the long lines, the fair is one of the most fun things to do in Dallas.
You must get a picture with Big Tex and eat fried food. Ride the rides, relax on the space needle and giant ferris wheel with your honey and check out the cool new cars they have on display. Have cold beers on a hot day as you play the games and try to beat the carnies.
It costs about a hundred bucks per couple to be able to do it all in a day. Don’t go to the first ticket booth you see when you walk in. That’s for dumbasses and they wait twice as long as people that are smart enough to walk to the ticket kiosks a few hundred feet inside the park.
Use caution if you plan on taking a selfie stick. They have some sort of Nazi rule here that prohibits them. I have no idea why, other than to just be dicks and to supply the staff with free confiscated property. When they took mine, they tossed it into a huge trash can full of selfie sticks. There were about a thousand in there. Probably the best way to avoid having yours redistributed to the fair staff, is to stick it way down deep in your girlfriend’s purse. They take a peek inside at the gate, but they don’t look very close.

The State Fair is something that I look forward to every year. I try to go as often as I can. The fair can get very expensive. The price of the tickets to get into the fair isn’t too bad. It’s the coupons and game cards that get you. You have to buy coupons because that’s how you «pay» for food, drinks, shows, and to get on the rides. The most that you can get is 20 coupons and the price of that is $ 10. The problem is everything cost so many coupons. Like if you want to buy a hotdog, that might cost you 8 – 12 coupons. If you want a drink it might cost you another 6 coupons. If you wanna get on a ride it might cost you 12 coupons. You go through coupons really quickly and you’re constantly having to repurchase them. The game cards cost money as well. The price depends on how many points you’re willing to put on your card.
The food is always good. Pretty much everything is fried. It’s unhealthy but yummy lol.
The fair is really fun. Perfect for family and friends. They have a variety of rides. I never go on a lot of them because I’m not really big on rides. The ferris wheel however is a different story. Everyone should ride on it at least once. It’s fun and the view is great! Especially if you ride it towards the evening when the sun is starting to set. It’s a perfect ride for you and your sweetheart lol.
The place does get crowded and parking can be hard to find.
The only negative experience I had this year was that rude employee who was selling me coupons. He just had a very unpleasant attitude and was very rude to me. And this happened as I was just coming into the fair. It’s a good thing that I didn’t let him ruin my fun day though.
I’m always looking forward to go the fair whenever it comes around.

The fair is expensive, no skirting that. But dang, is it freaking fun. I mean if you really let loose and allow yourself to have fun, there is so much opulence to enjoy.
Let’s start with the food. It may be cliché, but DAMN! It’s complete and mind numbing insanity. My favorite thing is the food can either be a scavenger hunt, where you are trying to find something you knew you want to try. The other side is the wonderful surprises around every corner. «Oh, I’m just going to the bathroo WELL HELLO CHEESE CURDS!!!»
I’m not big on rides, especially carnival rides but the Ferris wheel is something everyone should definitely experience. We have an amazing skyline and this is a great way to experience it.
Also fun are the shows and various promotional activities and concerts. It’s just so fun and rewarding to go exploring.
It can get very crowded, so definitely come during the week if you can. There are even discounted days that will save you some coin. I like to take the train in rather fight traffic and park, although the train can be crowded too and you need to make sure you know the schedule.

Was so excited to find out this fair was in town but was a bit too hectic for me compared to others I’ve been to.
Highlights:
— Unique food not at other fairs: have the standard corn and burgers then add in cool Texas specific additions
— Pork panhandle: breaded and covered in a bourbon sauce, this pork chop was meaty and tender. 4.5 stars
— Bbq beef brisket egg roll: surprise hit pulling off the combo of Asian and American BBQ 4.5
— Fried football: combo of tailgate meat filled biscuit deep fried and shaped like a football 3.5
— Jalapeño cheese corn dog: very good corn dog inside and out. Like the bits of melted cheese and peppers inside. Tip: make sure you get the Fletchers one as I mistakenly got another corn dog that was not THE one to get. This one will have a long line. 4.5 stars
— New car show: interesting edition and seemed to have all major brands
Lowlights:
— Too cramped and crowded: everywhere there was a super long line from buying tickets to items. Seemed like there wasn’t enough room for those lines in between booths so passing through was like trying to walk in a mall during xmas season.
— Can’t find anything: maps weren’t helpful to find booths and food we were looking for
— Separate tickets for food and games: so need to wait in 2 lines. Good for rides and food so seems like it’d make sense to extend out.
Had a fun time but probably a once in a lifetime thing as someone who doesn’t live in Dallas.

Wow… people love their TX fair! I’m from Oregon and since their is a Six Flags nearby, I wasn’t sure what the «big deal» would be…
It’s madness… madness I tell you… the definition of organized chaos. The ticket lines were long but went surprisingly fast. We definitely got one of the infamous corn dogs — good stuff! We tried chocolate bacon too (yum). The girls rode a ride or two for nostalgic purposes while we drank a coup, e of beers, which were actually not as expensive as we had anticipated. The beer sampling area had music and all sorts of cool craft beers but I’m a sucker for the trinket and trash booths and the selection was pitiful… totally disappointing.
We made our rounds to see the animals before we left feeling very hot and tired only to be faced with the nightmare that was the train. Having said that, we had a good time and are looking forward to next year.

²⁄₅ solid stars
Eh, we came here right when the fair opened and it was empty. Vendors and activities (carnival games) were very slow to open up for business. I was surprised and would think everything would be ready when the gates opened to the public, but nope.
Sadly, I was hoping to see some local food vendors, but they were vendors that the fair contracted. It would have been nice to see popular local vendors at this event.

The stars at night are big and bright (clap clap clap clap) deep in the heart of Texas!
Welcome to the State Fair of Texas, the Lone Star State’s ultimate month-​long fair festival that can’t get any more Texas where you will find fried everything and country music! I flew in to Dallas specifically for this fair, and I absolutely loved it.
Here are some things you should not miss:
1) Fried food of course: Set your diet and disbelief aside for a while, and brave your way through the Texas fair’s ridiculous roster of fried food! I was not a believer of fried oreo, and now I am devout. Also, go out of your way to try the fair winners of the year like the beer battered buffalo in 2015!
2) Texas-​sized auto show: State Fair of Texas is the nation’s only fair with a full-​blown auto show, so don’t miss out checking out acres and acres of not only American trucks but also stylish imported cars. Not a car fan here, but I thought the show was pretty cool to walk through.
3) Live shows: Take a break from walking and pause at the live country music or performances like the headliner Lone Star Horse Show!
4) Fair rides: Rides in other fairs are usually small and transportable, but here, the rides are scaled bigger and are actually stationery in the park so while it’s not Six Flags, you can have fun on them even if you are not a child! If you are brave (and rich) enough, you can try the bungie jump as well.
Overall, after walking for more than four hours and eating plenty of absurd fried food in Fair Park, I thoroughly enjoyed the State Fair of Texas! Sure, it’s similar to other Texan fairs I have been, but it’s not only the bigger scale that makes this particular fair better. The atmosphere, the food selection, and everything else make the State Fair of Texas a fun way to spend the day. This is definitely an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime!
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TRANSPORTATION:
If possible, avoid driving here because parking is an expensive nightmare here! Save yourself from a headache (and potentially extra walking to backtrack to your parking) by riding on DART Green Line light rail toward Buckner or Über.
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ADMISSION PURCHASE LOGISTICS:
You have to go through a total of three lines: one for admission purchase, one for quick security check, and one for ticket purchase.
General admission is $ 18, but you can get discounts through many methods. The best discount is the half-​price admission with an empty Dr. Pepper can. My recommendation though is the $ 2-​off advance ticket through DART Go Pass App, which allows you to skip the admission purchase line.
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TICKET PURCHASE LOGISTICS:
With few exceptions, everything in the fair must be purchased with tickets, which are $ 0.50 each. Numerous ticket booths are spread throughout the park so don’t worry about trying to get it at the front gate and wait for forever. Generally lines are long anywhere though, so try to get all the tickets you need in one go.
Food is on average 12 – 14 tickets per order (although fair winners are 20), drink 8 – 10, and ride 10. Allocate at least 30 – 40 tickets per person.
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Further tips:
1) Get the cheapest drinks and water from the Daughters of American Revolution for $ 1 located at the left of the main gate. 2-​ticket soda refill station is also a good deal.
2) If you want to get the famous Flecher’s corn dog, the one in front of the Texas ferris wheel has a significantly shorter line than the main one in front of Big Tex.
3) Grab a fair map and don’t be afraid to ask the cops or the info desk for guidance.
4) Enjoy yourself in this Texas-​sized fair :)

I’ve been to the State Fair for several years now, and it never gets old! I come mainly for the fried foods goodness that is great about Texas. It’s the one day of the year that I just let myself splurge! This year was no exception. I finally had time in my schedule to go, but unfortunately it was on a Friday during the last week, so you can guess how crowded it was. It took us 2 hours just to get there, and then another 30 minutes or so getting tickets and going inside. But it was all worth it!
I always look to try the new fried/​crazy foods they have each year. This year, I had the Smoky Bacon Margarita, Fried Cake Balls, Fried Oreos, Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly, and of course the Turkey Leg. My least favorite was definitely the Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly; just didn’t like the flavor combination fried. The Bacon Margarita was a disappointment too just because it was so hyped. It was basically a margarita with bacon bits on top. The Fried Cake Balls though… they made the trip worth it! It was simply divine. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, and covered with chocolate gooeyness! At $ 6 for 3 balls, it was kind of pricey, but you can’t expect to go to the fair and not spend a lot of money, so I was okay with it.
Whoever’s reading this, you have 1 more day, go go go! If you can’t, go ahead and make room in your schedule for next year! The State Fair is one of the best things that come to Texas year round.

The State Fair of Texas is hands down the best state fair in America (I say as I’ve never been to any other state fairs). But really… it’s great! A lot of people complain about the high prices, but they offer tons of great deals on tickets throughout the week and even discounts on rides and food. So if it works with your schedule, I’d definitely suggest going during the week (specifically during the day) because of the discounts and it won’t be so crowded.
Fair time is pretty much my favorite time of the year because fried food, obviously. I cannot go a year without getting a Fletcher’s corn dog– so good you don’t even need ketchup or mustard! I always say I’m going to eat 2 of them, but there’s just so many other things to try! Fried Oreos are another one of my favorites, along with the fried chocolate tres leches.
From rides, food, drinks, games, free stuff, shows, and test driving cars– the State Fair of Texas is worth going to at least once in your life. It’s one of those things that you’ll understand once you experience it.

After nearly 10 years of living in Fort Worth I finally made it to the State Fair. so does that mean I am a Texan now? I reckon I should cover up the «Georgia Peach» tattoo. I just went to school there! This isn’t about my tattoo though. so. Anyway.
I really underestimated how big this fair is. I grew up going to the Coastal Empire fair in Savannah every year thinking it was a big fair. Haha, bring two pairs of walking shoes!
Yes, it’s expensive. Get a season pass. I/​we spent $ 80 on one damn game to get a minion. Mom’s softball arm ain’t as good as it used to be. The food! Fried this fried that. Good bye healthy diet. You gotta try a fletcher’s corn dog. I didn’t get one but the husband and kids did because I knew I would have 3 corny dogs shoved in my face and I gained 20 lbs since actively Unilocaling. Thanks Unilocal.Lol. Corn dog was Sooo good. Funnel cake was decent. I really wanted to try the queso pretzel, but I lost where it was.
I ended up going on rides by myself. My kids were like no way. You won’t catch me on the Starship though. I’ll do anything at the fair, but I won’t do that.
We had a good time. Expensive or not. Spent enough for a plane ticket to Vegas. Alot to see, eat, and do. Big Tex scared my daughter. I rather go without kids, honestly.
Fun times. I look forward to going back next year.

There’s not a year that goes by that I don’t go to the Fair at LEAST three times. It’s a must. I even go as far as looking over the Big Tex Choice Awards winners and finalists beforehand. That allows me to prepare a list of what I must taste. Everyday there’s a discounted entry of some sort, which is the best. Now, the best part: THE FOOD. No doubt about it!
The Classics are a funnel cake, roasted corn, a big smoked turkey leg and not just ANY corny dog, but a Fletcher’s Corny Dog. And you can’t get it from ANY Fletcher’s stand in the Fair Park, you gotta get it from the stand in front of Big Tex. Trust me! Now I haven’t ridden on a State Fair ride in THE longest, BUT if you have to choose, go with the Pirate Ship, swings back and forth, so much fun and you could do the LoveBug. Ask any worker at the Fair and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about.
This year, on my 2^nd visit, I had two new fried foods, they’ve become my favorite already. The Chicken Fried Lobster w/​Champagne Gravy and the Fried Millionaire Pie. Worth every ticket and every minute that I stood in line. The lobster, it’s 60 coupons, which is $ 30, but you get your money’s worth. The lobster was served to us hot and fresh out of the grease. It wasn’t a small tail either, a good helping. It was served with fries and a corn relish. A true, boojie, yet down home, Texas treat. Now, for your sweet tooth, the Millionaire Pie will do it for ya. You get two fried, empanada-​like pastries filled with a sweet, hot filling of cream cheese, pineapple, and coconut, topped with pecans and whipped cream. Why was I just finding out about this?! It was amazing!
Honestly, everything that I’ve ever had at the Fair, is just plain… GOOD! I get so excited, I just like to feed my face, that’s it. It’s a Foodie PARADISE!

The state fair can be enjoyed year round by visiting all sorts of natural museums, aquariums shows, etc.
The state fair it’s self normally operate the last week of September up to the third week of October. Every weekend is jampacked including Columbus days and any designated school days off for the fair.
If you’re going specifically to try food I would suggest mapping out the locations for each of the food rather then figuring out your route upon arrival.
I also suggest purchasing coupons farther inward the park instead of at the entrance; your lines are likely to be much shorter and if you go to the food court you don’t have to wait in line outside.
Note — everything closest to the main entrance usually has longer lines.
Fried! fried! fried! You’ll find all sorts of fried food from desserts to full Thanksgiving dinner’s. They are small portions but if you plan to eat quite a few of them, they’re good to share with one or two other people in combination with other fried foods that may be on your list.
My must have for 2015 — pretzel-​crusted queso is crispy on the outside and cheesy and gooey on the inside with a dip that has a nice kick to it.
The fright carrot cake is also pretty good but I can do without the raisins.

The State Fair of Texas has somehow achieved success based on the sentimentalization of overpriced, under portioned, crappy food, average beer, and of course, epic stunt frying. Yet, despite the crowds, despite the ridiculously bad parking, despite the way coupons and game credits are designed to get me to overspend, like some foreign currency whose exchange rate I can never remember — I keep going back.
It’s this thing you have to do if you live here. Go to the State Fair, see Big Tex, sit in a late model Mustang or Corvette, try the newest fried food (chicken fried bacon, anyone?), g-​force your brains out on the midway (preferably not in that order), and visit the coupon kiosks over and over again. Money? What money? It’s COUPONS! Why do we do it? No one asks the question. It’s the State Fair of Texas!
Some years the weather is pleasant, but this year it was oppressively hot. There were not enough 10-​coupon Dr. Peppers (=$ 5) in the fair grounds to keep us cool. And I discovered how hard it is to find a spoon when the Cherry Chill booth ran out of them and I told myself «Eh, I’ll just get one from another stand.» Guess what, they’re not that helpful at the state fair. By the time I lifted one from a serving area and washed it in the men’s room my chill was half melted.
My favorite part of the fair is the free shows, in particular the Azuzu Acrobats, the Bmx stunt show, World On a String, the dog show, and the sound and light show at 8pm. I also can’t resist the auto show. And if you bring kids, the petting zoo is the best I’ve ever experienced. The back yard circus is a must for kids too.
We tried the new-​for-​this-​year Smoky Bacon Margarita and it was passable in a novelty sort of way. Not a real drink though. Like a lime slurpee with a quarter shot of tequila and bacon bits on top in a ten ounce cup. 14 coupons. Drink the slurpee part half way down and then stir the bacon in for the best flavor.
If you’re driving take the $ 10 parking on Martin Luther King Blvd and walk in gates 5 or 6 for the best entry experience. Avoid the TRE gate or parking on that side at all costs. Parking is $ 20-​$ 30, the walk is longer and crosses more streets including the off-​ramp from I-​30, and foot traffic into the gate is claustrophobic.
With kids, if you can come on a weekday do it to avoid crowds and take advantage of mid-​week savings on tickets and rides. Bring bottled water you can refill and lots of healthy snacks to stay hydrated and keep food spending under control. If you’re pushing a stroller, take some time to read schedules to avoid criss-​crossing the fair grounds for shows and the midway. It’s exhausting. For some reason Nimitz dr, the street that runs from the auto show, in front of the main stage, and on towards the midway, is nearly impassable in a stroller on busy days.
If you really want to have some fun, bring an out of state friend and enjoy their reaction. I’m from the north east and guarantee you that most non-​Texans don’t have a mental category for the State Fair of Texas. So, saddle up and plan your penance at the gym, Big Tex is waiting!

Great fun for the whole family! Zany food like fried cheesecake, solid classics like corny dogs, and carney food like smoked turkey legs galore! Try your luck at various carney games and see if you can win a plush doll! Fun animal shows such as pig races and trained dog shows! Test drive and see the newest car models! Buy some crazy inofmercial stuff!
Money saving tips; The fair is super crowded. Avoid the crowds and come on a weekday. On Tuesdays, admission is only $ 5 with a Dr. Pepper can and rides are half off. Ride the DART rail and save money on parking. Round trip with DART is only $ 5 while parking is $ 15. Remember, if you drive, you’ll have to fight the traffic jams and pay road tolls, too. Toll charges vary from $ 10.30 to $ 15.46, depending on if you have a toll tag or not. Use the DART.
Come home dog tired.
P. S. The State Fair of Texas is on public land so the private security guards have no right to search you without a warrant. Don’t fall for their stupid rent a cop tactics! Just ask politely but firmly ask to speak with a police officer. Don’t let the rent a cop wand you. The security guy or gal will then lead you to the real police officer. You show your license (Texas chl) to the nice officer and the real police officer will say, «Welcome to the State Fair of Texas.» Just reply, «Thanks,» and waltz on through.

Came to the State Fair again this year! I always take the dart because it’s so convenient. Rather than paying for parking and dealing with that mess, it only cost me $ 2.50 for a college day pass and only about a 30 minute dart ride, so I’m happy :)
Food:
Cheesy Garlic Bread (located inside the food court): hot, fresh, cheesey goodness, and it comes with a side of ranch! They make them fresh to order and they are HUGE, worth all 11 tickets I paid for it.
«Giant» slice of pepperoni pizza (inside food court): really good crust, it’s fluffy but still has structure and you can taste the garlic butter they brush onto it. I wouldn’t call it a «giant» slice but more like two regular slices, still good.
Drinks:
Cotton candy beer: On the picture, it looks like the beer has a layer of cotton candy melted on top, this is not what I got, just a regular big tex cup with some plain tasting beer in it for 14 tickets — PASS.
Funnel cake ale: Save your tickets, the ale doesn’t really taste like funnel cake. The only funnel cake thing I could taste was the powdered sugar on the rim of the cup which didn’t go well with the ale taste. The cup I received didn’t even have the funnel cake ale logo, just a plain cup. For 14 tickets — PASS.
Make sure you go to the section with Sensodyme tooth paste to get some free toothpaste and a free tooth brush! It was very refreshing to brush my teeth in the middle of the fair after eating all the fried foods.
Keep a look out for deals to get into the fair. This year if you go on a Wednesday you get into the fair for only $ 4 if you bring 4 cans of food to donate! There’s practically deals for admission every day of the week so do your research before heading there, it’ll save you some money to spend on fun and food instead!

I would award a five, but the cost is so high.
This place is fun. I attend most years and learn something new every year.
Of course, the Fletcher corn dog is a mandatory staple of a visit to the state fair of Texas. We also make it a point to try at least something different every year that is fried and deliciously and gooey and yummy.
I like the fact they will let you bring in your own ice chest with water and food. Do not bring alcohol. I think that is a fair trade-​off. The price of beverages and food is extremely high.
Be sure to be on the west side of the property as the sun goes down. Sit along the lake that has the swan boats gently coasting along in it. As the sun begins to set, various soft lights start twinkling down the trees. It is a magical experience.
The wild West pet show is really cute and well done. Highly recommended. I have always loved the model train exhibit. I used to like to ride the Ferris wheel, and certainly you need to try it if you haven’t done it, but don’t do it for the ride. What I mean is, you’re going to go one or two times around and then stop and that’s it. Do it for the experience of getting in and out of an old metal contraption and climbing high into the sky, but not because you’re going to get a true ride that takes you around and around a few times.
Be sure to watch the illumination sensation at 8 PM. It is a light show times to music, has dancers, fireworks, lasers, and is all around enjoyable. Recommended.
If I understood correctly, this was the last year for the butter sculpture. Each year about 3000 pounds of butter is sculpted into some absolutely fantastic creation. I am sad to see it go.

Each year I come here I always have a fantastic time.
I love it how there are new things to see and do each time I go here. Thankfully Big Tex is back and saying «Howdy» to all of the fair goers.
Some tips for the 2015 fair. I highly recommend you take the train to get in since it a lot less hassle then driving and finding a parking space. When you are taking the Green line you don’t always have to get off at the Fair park stop, there is the MLK stop that is only a few blocks away from the grounds.
Walk around for prices, some places charge 12 tickets for a beer compared to 10 tickets for a beer. Same with the turkey legs, one might be 22 or 24 depending on the stand.
You MUST by at least one corn dog or as they call it here a corny dog. It’s probably the best thing to get here. That as well as anything else fried here. The big thing this year is fried lobster for 60 tickets. In real money that equals to $ 30 bucks! I was tempted but I just could not see spending that kind of money when I could have multiple fried Oreos, fried bacon, corny dogs, funnel cake and beer.
Lastly drink plenty of water and take your time through the fair. There is so much to do and see in one day. You can see livestock, shows, pig races, college football games, musicians, cars, butter sculptures, artwork and everything Texas at the fair.
Go check out the fair’s website for ticket prices and discounts since they do change year to year. Also if you are buying group tickets I would organize it two weeks in advance.
Overall if you are in Texas near Dallas and the fair is going on you need to stop by here at least once in your life, eat a corny dog and you will not regret it.

As a non-​Texan native who recently moved here from the Northeast, the State Fair is worth a visit once a year, and I will continue to go for years to come!
It astounds me how school districts in the Dallas area actually get off to go to the Fair. That was just so unheard of. Secondly, I made a joke to my friend by sending a picture of «Big Tex» and captioning it, «It’s gonna be lit (good) tonight!» I retracted that statement after finding out that «Big Tex» did actually get lit (on fire that is) once.
Anyway, I primarily came for the food. I planned on spending $ 30; however, I ended up spending $ 45 in coupons. Let’s list out the food I tried:
Buffalo Chicken Flapjack — Basically a buffalo chicken on a stick. It’s pretty good for street food. Has a nice balanced buffalo kick. Pretty satisfied with it. People also suggested putting syrup on it, and tried it out, wasn’t too big of a fan of it. Thankfully I put it on the side.
Fried Cheeseburger — This is from Scrumbcious, the same people who make pie milkshakes in Mesquite. Really reminds me of a fat sandwich that I would find in New Jersey. To me, it brought a little east coast love to the south. Very fattening indeed.
Tornado Taters — Yes, they are «A-​OK.» Nothing too special in my honest opinion. It’s like eating pork on a stick, rather instead of pork, it’s golden-​fried potatoes.
Deep Fried Oreos — Solid. They could have been a little more crispy though, however, it satisfied my desert craving.
Funnel Cake Ale — I decided to try out this «Funnel Cake Ale» beer they were serving in the beer garden. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed. It just tasted like a regular craft beer, but they just put funnel cake seasoning on top. Man, I was actually expecting the beer to taste like funnel cake! False advertising.
I also tried out the Ferris Wheel. They say that it’s the biggest one in the western hemisphere, but, I did not find anything special about it. It was cool though.
As I said before, I would come back here once a year, primarily for the food of course :). That is what Unilocalers do right? Haha.

Great winners. All are well deserved. Their flavors were on point. Their creativity was at an all time high. Finding them was nearly impossible. There is no obvious big sign on the booth. The maps in the book are not accurate nor clear. The winners are spread out across the fair grounds which will force you to walk the whole dang park. On the positive you will burn calories. Only disappointment was the fried lobster. I could not afford this $ 30 bite of food. WTF … Uggh I was pissed. The other foods are a must try if you find them. The holy moly is the best dessert. Well deserved winner.

The best state fair in the country! Awesome nights under the lights of the midway. with a corn dog.beer.funnel cakes and much more. Get a season pass and have fun!
Parking advice: take über or the train!

It’s BIG Fun!
It’s FRIED Food!
It’s the State Fair of Texas!
The State Fair of Texas is a fun tradition. I look forward to attending every year with my daughter. We’ve had lots fun and bonding time over the years. I order our admission tickets and coupons in advance to avoid lines. We arrive early. around 9am, before the rides and vender locations open. This gives us time to walk to the livestock area and check out he pigs/​hogs and the animal petting area. …and to get a good parking spot at the entry cost $ 15.
FRIED FOOD! We start by mapping our route to the winners and finalist creations. There’s so many food vendors… temptation is everywhere., the food options are endless. We always seem to find something new to try that’s not on the list and somehow we find an ‘oldie but goodie’ item (s). While on this fried food journey we’ll go inside a few exhibits, watch a performances and pickup some free items. I love taking pictures of everything, food, people, games, rides, livestock, cars, etc.
There’s a lot of walking. Luckily for us, we’re mini-​professionals and can find our way around pretty good. With that said, there are times when it’s difficult to find the food booth we’re looking for so we give up. I’m very disappointed with the Fair committee selecting a Fried Lobster Tail to be priced at 60 coupons, that’s $ 30.
That staff and police officers are very friendly; the staff does an excellent job keeping the everything clean. …and keeping us safe.
Did you know… Big Tex is bilingual and if the Dallas Cowboys are playing, he’ll relay the score of the game.
Dates to avoid: DISD Day, State Fair Classic and Texas vs. OU of course it makes sense if you have tickets for these dates. But if you don’t avoid attending on those dates if at all possible.
You WILL need to budget for the Fair, if you’re not careful it can become very expensive. When you pay in coupons you tend to forget the actual dollar amount you’re paying.
I wish the program committee would create a map closer to scale. I also wish the winners and finalist had a sign (larger) or sign holder outside their booths to make it easier to find them.
My new favorite drink, slushy sweet tea.
I sure hope they bring back their lunch special.